Natural disaster zones declared near Nice: insurance deadline looms Declaration relates to landslides in March 2024
What exactly does maison secondaire mean in France? Property descriptions are related to the amount of time spent in a property each year
Are the shutters on my French house essential for insurance? Insurers often differentiate between different shutter and material types
news Electricity prices will reduce for most French households in January However the government will seek to increase tax on usage
What gift tax is liable on property in France for UK residents? Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query
How can I apply for a visa without finalising home purchase in France? Short-term rental contracts may be an option
What are the rules for wood-burning stoves in France? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query
Change to timeline of energy efficiency rules for French homes announced by PM More than 600,000 properties may be affected by rule change, allowing them to remain on rental market
Can I cancel French property tax payments in advance if I will be 75 next year? There are exemptions from paying taxe foncière for some
Second home US buyers resist French property slump The second home market performed better than the domestic market according to notaire data for 2023
Why are there strict rules around façades on France's streets? A range of regulations govern the exteriors of buildings in French towns and villages
Must solar panels installed at home be insured in France? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader question
PHOTOS: See inside US designer's comfortable French chateau Esteemed US designer Timothy Corrigan traces his passion for France and the projects he has carried out there, including his own magnificent Loire chateau
Court jails large-scale solar panel scammer, 800 victims in France Over 1,000 people worldwide paid for panels that were never delivered Properties you can buy in French Nord department for €200,000 and €1 million Conversion of Paris Olympic village into flats for sale continues How to settle neighbourhood disputes in France
Electricity bills set to fall by around 10% for millions of households in France The re-evaluation at the start of next year is expected to follow the global trend of falling energy prices MAP: which French cities resisted house price drops of 2023? PHOTOS: See inside our quirky French home, a 13th-Century watermill What does the 'pool squat' case mean for property owners in France? Millions of property owners in France still risk fine PHOTOS: Four chateaux for sale for under $1 million in Dordogne
Are French property owners set for some good tax news? Lower year-on-year inflation means that next year’s tax increase should be lower - but not all owners will be affected equally
French property prices stabilising, say leading estate agencies Agents say 2024 is seeing the end of three consecutive years of falls in transaction volume
MAP: Which areas in France are most popular with second-home owners? Hundreds of communes are dominated by second homes, with 70% or more of all properties only being used ocassionally
Financial help is available for workers who move in France The aid available depends on your income, family size, and reason for moving
Households in France without a Linky meter to suffer additional costs Things set to change for those who submit manual readings
2024 French property tax: which areas are seeing the highest rises? We review how the taxe foncière is calculated, and which areas have seen the largest increase
Over 1,000 more French towns to levy higher tax on second homes Around 1,500 communes now intend to charge the levy including popular second-home destinations such as St Tropez, St Malo and Chamonix
Is it possible to buy my ex-partner's share in French home? Wanting to purchase an ex-partner's share of a property is not unusal
Are €1 home insulation offers in France a scam? The cost of insulation renovations can be partially covered by a number of schemes
What will happen to our holiday home in France when we die? John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query
Bordeaux down 6.8%, Nice up 1% - current price data for flats in France Our chart shows changes over a year and the average price per square metre
Couple must reimburse €400,000 for French home that cannot be lived in The problem was only discovered after the property had been sold
French property prices: which areas show rises and which falls? September will be a critical month for the market, say notaires
Man seriously injured during illegal ‘pool squat’ sues owners in France Now paralysed from the neck down, the man reportedly claims the accident was due to owner negligence
Are French estate agents’ property valuations reliable? There are a variety of options to get a realistic idea of a home’s value
What repairing our French farmhouse taught me about tiling Tuile canal can be seen across the rooftops of central France, but can be notoriously tricky to repair
Expandable homes gain popularity in France Prospective homeowners battling high property prices are increasingly turning to modular houses designed for easy future expansions
Property: see what €50,000 to €700,000 buys you in Nièvre in rural France Popular with Parisians looking for second homes, a drive to boost tourism in the department means there are bargains to be had in the rural gem
Property owners in French Alps limited to one tourist rental each ‘Prices are skyrocketing and we need to restore balance,’ says mayor
Why is French notaire asking me to provide origin of funds for purchase? Both domestic and overseas payments may be subject to such checks
Can I avoid having ugly pylons near my French home? Fibre is being rolled out to France's rural areas
Explained: safety rules for home pools in France and risks if do not comply Barriers, alarms, shelters - we look at what features are required for pool owners
Tiny houses surge in popularity across France Despite rising costs, these properties offer eco-friendly, innovative solutions
Letters: Why can't French property deeds be simpler? Connexion reader asked notaire for a copy of their home's titre de propriété and received a 21-page document in reply
Seven million French properties risk fine under new declaration rule Many owners have still not completed the obligatory Biens Immobiliers. The deadline was June 30
French second home: in what cases can you be exempt from taxe d’habitation? Reductions are no longer available but in certain cases owners can be exempted
PHOTOS: Couple transform old village school into quirky French home The property is enjoying a new lease of life as a guesthouse in the Breton village of Châtelaudren
Mortgage rates in France heading towards 3% Interest rates have been falling since the start of the year, and the number of loans granted is increasing
French property tax hits owners of lower-value homes disproportionally Taxe foncière represents up to two months of mortgage repayments in some areas. We also look at reductions and exemptions
Big drop in permits for new homes to be built in France Permits for single-family homes are down by almost a quarter year-on-year
French DIY chain to stop selling ‘low efficiency’ air con units Leroy Merlin claims some models use too much energy for the gain they give
Air conditioning at French home: what aid is available to install this? Many people look for units to cool homes down as summer months get hotter for longer
Small swimming pools make a splash in France Mini pools under 10m2 are rising in popularity although getting one to avoid paying taxes is a 'silly decision'
Do I keep right to stay in French property for free if owner dies? Rights to remain in a property after the owner's death can be complex
Can I use bottled gas in my French property? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query
'EDF's IT error left me with €8,500 electricity bill for small French house' The British EDF customer was shocked to receive the bill which was due to faulty Linky readings over three years
MAP: see where property prices have dropped the most in Paris Drops of around 10% (up to €1,100 less per m2 in real terms) have been seen in several arrondissements. Only one has not seen a significant drop
Eco-friendly shower wins French invention medal People can enjoy hot showers with minimal environmental impact, using only a few litres of water compared to hundreds from a bath or traditional shower
Did you know French police can check your home when you are away? Here is how to sign up for the service, as well as a special check for elderly people. Plus, advice on how to avoid ‘fake police’ scams
How to save energy and money running your swimming pool at French home Try these tweaks to avoid excess electricity and water bills
Second home in France: how to save on running costs Tax reductions and aid for renovation work can also help boost investment value
Property: See what €20,000, €200,000 - and €2m - buys you in north-east France Moselle is an area with a colourful past, famous for its white wine
PHOTOS: The Villa Majorelle, an Art Nouveau jewel in north-east France The emblematic building in Nancy was created by the finest craftsmen of its day
‘Unfair’: Anger over €6,000 bill for clearing neighbour land in France Débroussaillement is the clearing of overgrowth from a property - and in some cases residents are legally obliged to clear a neighbour’s land at their own cost
PHOTOS: Couple build French home out of old shipping containers Total costs for the 145m² home - and a rental unit within - came in at under €275,000
First water restrictions of 2024 in two departments of south-west France High temperatures and a lack of rainfall have caused water levels to drop
France embraces the rise of the robot mowers Automated robots can keep lawns looking clean with just a weekend of work, and basic models can start from less than €1,000
Innovative bank card aids France's homeless New card system in Lille enables secure donations for essentials, boosting support for homeless individuals.
French building industry taps into the power of hemp Innovative hemp-based materials are making a comeback in France, offering enhanced insulation and lower carbon emissions
Couple sue French commune for letting acorns fall on their roof They claim the acorns caused damage totalling €6,000
Millions of French homes escape August electricity price rise A scheduled increase has been paused, the government has confirmed
House price falls accelerating in France: will this continue? Leading estate agent groups report a fall in prices, making it a ‘buyers’ market’ after months of high interest rates and political uncertainty
Do I need permission to install a shelter for my outdoor French pool? Rules can vary dependent upon the structure and the location of a property
France expands number of areas that can bring in rent controls More than 650 communes have been reclassified to allow this. Many more places can now now also offer interest-free home loans for first-time buyers
Toulouse home sells at half price as pool in view of thousands of people The house, which is below a new cable car route, brings a whole new meaning to the word ‘overlooked’
Thousands more French second homes face 2024 tax rises Over 500 new communes have voted for 60% levy on vacant second homes
38 communes in south France recognised as new drought disaster zones People affected can now claim on their catastrophe naturelle insurance, but the issue looks set to reoccur this year
If the party wall at our French home is damaged are repair costs shared? A neighbour is undertaking renovations to their property
France's top court limits 10-year guarantee on heat pumps The landmark ruling also excludes stove inserts in renovations